The Cute & Fun Baby Joy in The Rain

Guided Process for Charcoal and Pastel Portrait Drawing

MEDIUMS:
For a rich and dynamic portrait drawing experience, I utilize a carefully curated selection of materials. This includes the Faber-Castell Charcoal Set (24 pieces), which offers a range of tones, from deep blacks to soft grays. I complement this with BLOCKX Soft Pastels (72 vibrant colors) or the Mont Marte Soft Pastels (12 Grey Tints), which provide a beautiful array of colors for shading and highlights. For precise detailing, I turn to the Faber-Castell 60-set colours and the Pitt Pastel Pencils (21-set Monochrome), essential for capturing intricate features. A White Soft Pastel Pencil from Faber-Castell is also crucial for adding highlights. Lastly, to protect and preserve the vibrancy of my artwork, I use Winsor & Newton Fixative, all on Sandy/Pastelmat Paper from the Clairefontaine brand.

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ART PROCESS:

Let’s delve into the tools that transform my artistic vision into reality. I begin with my trusted Faber-Castell Charcoal Sketch Set, which consists of 24 pieces that lay the groundwork for my artwork. This initial sketching phase allows me to establish proportions and outlines, setting the stage for creativity to flourish!

Once my foundation is complete, I immerse myself in the vibrant spectrum of BLOCKX Soft Pastels or Mont Marte's Grey Tints. The vivid colours of the pastels add depth and richness to my portraits, creating a striking visual experience. The sheer joy of blending and smoothing the pastels with my fingers is unmatched—they create a beautiful softness that brings my drawings to life! The tactile nature of the pastels enhances the artistic process, enabling me to experiment with texture and colour effortlessly! 😁✨

For the intricate details that breathe life into my portraits—the delicate curvature of lips, the captivating sparkle in the eyes, the nuanced texture of skin, and the delicate strands of hair—I rely on Faber-Castell Pitt Pastel Pencils. This selection of 60 colours, along with the Pitt Pastel Pencils (21 Monochrome), allows me to capture fine elements with precision and grace. The essential Faber-Castell Pitt Soft White Pencil is my go-to for creating striking highlights that contrast beautifully against deeper tones, enhancing the overall dimensionality of the piece. 🌟

One of my absolute favourite surfaces to work on is the Sandy Paper from Clairefontaine. This thoughtfully crafted Pastelist/Pastelmat paper features a unique texture that effectively holds the pastels in place, ensuring they adhere well without smudging. This is particularly important for detailing, as it maintains the integrity of delicate features and complex layers.

To preserve the vibrancy of my creations, I apply Winsor & Newton Fixative at the midpoint of my process. This initial spritz helps to set my base layers before I proceed with additional detailing. Finally, a light mist of fixative at the end of the drawing process locks in the colours and protects against unwanted smudges, ensuring that my artwork retains its intended brilliance.

I genuinely hope that my artwork resonates with you, sparking joy and inspiration in your heart! Together, let’s continue to explore, create, and celebrate our unwavering passion for art!